A:  The elementary will be able to accommodate the extra group of students.  Looking back, 5th grade used to be at the elementary. We were able to feed all students and everyone received library, phy ed, art and music.  This was also before we had an additional lunchroom added.  Class sizes will depend on the number of students in each grade level, but they will be around 15-20.  The unknown is always our students who move in or out of district.  

A:  The district would look to sell the building to an investor. 

A:  The relocatable classrooms will follow the same safety and security protocols as our main buildings. Doors will remain locked at all times, and access will require a fob, just like in our other facilities.

A:  These are not “pop-up” classrooms. There will be a main hallway, lockers and two separate restrooms (boys and girls) within the building. Students will go into the high school for lunch, CTE, art, music and PE, and the school will have plans in place to make those transitions safe in all weather.

From a financial standpoint, this allows the district to save about $1.4 million next year and $2.3 million the following year, with continued savings after that. The $9 million that was discussed would have been on top of that just to repair the current middle school.

We know it’s a change, but the focus is making sure it’s safe, functional and responsible for our district moving forward.

A:  Just to clarify, only 6th grade will be in the relocatable classrooms. Those spaces are set up with a main hallway, lockers and restrooms, so students are not going in and out for every class. The majority of their day will be spent within that space, and they will only transition into the high school building for things like lunch and electives. We will have structured plans in place to make those transitions safe and manageable in all weather conditions.

Safety is a top priority. These spaces will follow the same security protocols as our other buildings, including controlled access and supervision.

We also understand the concern about crowding and academic support. Bringing students onto one campus actually allows us to expand opportunities and better align supports, especially with access to courses and staff that were not previously available at the middle school.

We know this is a change, and it may not feel like the traditional setup people are used to, but the goal is to create a safe, functional environment for students while also making sure the district remains financially stable long-term.

A:  Students with special needs will continue to receive all required services and supports, just as they do now. The plan includes dedicated space within the relocatables for special education, and being on the same campus as the high school actually allows for greater access to specialized staff and services. The space is also ADA compliant, including a ramp for accessibility.

A:  The shift to one campus allows us to share staff more effectively, which is where some of the reductions come from — not from removing the supports students need. This helps us maintain programs and opportunities while being more efficient with how we use our staff.

A:  The middle school building was constructed in 1928, and with a building of that age comes significant ongoing maintenance needs. In recent years, we’ve faced increasing costs just to keep the building operational, including over $100,000 in electrical repairs in the lower level alone. We also have major systems, like air handlers, that have exceeded their life expectancy by more than 20 years, along with concerns related to asbestos and ADA accessibility.

In addition, we have been challenged to maintain insurance coverage without making continuous and costly repairs.

The reality is that we cannot afford to continue investing in a building with this level of need. By consolidating to two campuses, we are able to better use our staff and resources, which is where the majority of the long-term savings will come from year after year.